Spotlight on cosmetic ingredients conference

The science and policy of in vitro test methods presented in forum at Chemical Heritage Foundation

As 2009 E.U. non-animal testing deadlines loom for manufacturers of chemicals for products ranging from perfumes to deodorant to shampoos, a meeting in Philadelphia will bring together scientists, cosmetics formulators, and policy experts to address the impact of the 7th Amendment of the Cosmetics Directive, a series of deadlines for animal testing bans in the E.U., and REACH, a massive undertaking to identify potential hazards from thousands of chemicals previously exempt from testing requirements.

The event, called Spotlight on Ingredients: In Vitro Alternatives Forum, will take place on Thursday and Friday, October 23 and 24, 2008. Experts from Europe and representatives from major U.S. companies and trade groups will convene for a briefing on state of the art "alternative" testing methods, the policy and consumer demands behind them, and how to move forward with in vitro testing programs.

Dr. Rodger Curren, the president of event co-sponsor the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, says, "We intend that participants will walk away with practical information on the requirements of the non-animal testing bans; activities being undertaken by international organizations to meet these requirements; the actual testing strategies and how non-animal data can be used in risk assessment."

Co-sponsors Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF), of Jenkintown, PA, and Institute for In Vitro Sciences (IIVS) of Gaithersburg, MD join the Environmental History and Policy Program in the Chemical Heritage Foundation's (CHF) Center for Contemporary History and Policy to bring together a brain trust of presenters including Vera Rogiers of the EU's Scientific Committee on Consumer Products (SCCP) and Laura Gribaldo of the European Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM).

Format: Thursday's presentations begin at 2 p.m. and end at 4 p.m. with discussions on cosmetics legislation, consumer impact, and related regulations. Following these events is a special dinner at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia's Mutter Museum to celebrate the 15th anniversary of ARDF. Friday's presentations begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:00 p.m., addressing available in vitro methods and forthcoming testing approaches for ingredients.

Registration is open to all, with special complimentary packages for students attending with faculty, but seating is limited. By special request, registration may be permitted after the October 15 deadline: http://www.spotlightoningredients.org/register.html or contact: info@spotlightoningredients.org.

About the Chemical Heritage Foundation

CHF's Center for Contemporary History and Policy carries out projects at the interface of science, regulation, and governance in order to provide knowledge and advice to stakeholders from industry, academia, government, and citizen groups. CHF serves the community of the chemical and molecular sciences, and the wider public, by treasuring the past, educating the present, and inspiring the future. CHF maintains a world-class collection of materials that document the history and heritage of the chemical and molecular sciences, technologies, and industries; encourages research in CHF collections; carries out a program of outreach and interpretation in order to advance an understanding of the role of the chemical and molecular sciences, technologies, and industries in shaping society.

About the Institute for In Vitro Sciences

IIVS is a non-profit science-based organization dedicated to the advancement of alternative testing methods. IIVS seeks to refine the science, broaden the use, and increase the acceptance of in vitro testing worldwide. Since its founding in 1997, IIVS has worked with industry, academic laboratories, and government agencies to implement testing strategies that limit animal use while supplying key toxicological information.

About the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation

The mission of the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation is to fund and promote the development, validation and adoption of non-animal methods in biomedical research, product testing and education. ARDF provides grants for development of new alternative methods and sponsors and organizes meetings like this one.